AJ Palumbo Center Renovation Duquesne University

AJ Palumbo Center Renovation Duquesne University

Pittsburgh, PA

Year in Showcase: 2006

Project Description

Twenty years of growth at Duquesne University had left the school’s athletic training facilities and coaches’ offices tired, overcrowded and technologically outdated. In addition, the Dukes Court, a basketball fan club, needed a place to meet. Finally, the coaches desired an attractive and professional atmosphere in which to meet with prospective student-athletes and their families.

After several alternate design approaches were explored, the decision was made to renovate the underutilized racquetball courts and insert a mezzanine level to create additional floor space within the existing structure. This new space on the third level houses the offices for the athletic director, men’s and women’s basketball coaches and their staffs. The mezzanine offers views to an outdoor practice area and allows daylight into the office suite.

Awelcoming reception area, conference room and coaches’ locker areas are also provided. Decorative accents — designed to recall basketball flooring — display jerseys and photos of memorable Duquesne athletes. The entire area, enhanced by the university’s colors of red and blue, is bright and exciting. On the second level, adjacent to a new weight room for Duquesne studentathletes, is an enhanced athletic training suite complete with wet and dry therapy areas, an equipment storage room, workout areas, a private exam room and renovated offices. Down the hall is a spacious team meeting room and new video editing rooms.

Comfortable seating for relaxation and discussion highlights the recruitment center, which eventually will also serve as an athletics museum and display space. This area sports a massive colonnade that will house custom glass display cases, complementing a “wall of fame” located just outside the recruitment center.

Project Details

Construction Cost: $1.77 million

Occupancy: December 2005

Vendors

Fitness Center Flooring: Tuflex Rubber Flooring

Flooring: Dal-Tile Corp.

Lockers: Legacy Lockers

Shower/Toilet Partitions: Santana Products Inc.